Tetratec Ex1200 Is Here

[MermaidMel]

I have got the tank running (55 gallon) with fish in it obviously and the media in the wet/dry tray above

I know how to set the external up... just talk me through the best order, does this sound ok...

1] Turn off wet/dry
2] Arrange established media with new media in the EX
3] Arrange pipework
4] Turn EX on

I know it sounds so obvious writing it down, but how long will it all take, is this the best order to do it all in?
EX noob here, cut me some slack

 

[adamgreen240]

my ex1200 took about 25 mins to setup - dont worry - its easy!!

and that order above sounds ok

good luck

 

[cheesy feet]

Yup that would be fine, or you could run it in conjunction with the wet/dry until it matures.

 

[MermaidMel]

Do you take the carbon out or leave it in there? I've read some people don't bother with it, dunno why though

 

[scouse_andy]

It is used to polish the water and remove impurities.

Best to take it out if you have plants, it hinders growth.

Also if you need to dose any medications, take it out as it will remove them from the water column.

 

[T1KARMANN]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

 

[MermaidMel]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

Thanks but can you explain why? Cheers

 

[SJ2K]

Its personal prefference, for me when it came to switching to external i didnt have the space to run both so i just hooked up the external, filled it halfway with tank water, stuck the mature media with the new, hooked the rest up then ran the new one straight away no problem, just make sure the mature media stays wet (hense filling the new canister with tank water first).

 

[T1KARMANN]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

Thanks but can you explain why? Cheers

why would you want to mix up old filter media with the new

just run both filters for 2 weeks then the old filter will help to mature the new filter no need to mix up the media

 

[adamgreen240]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

Thanks but can you explain why? Cheers

why would you want to mix up old filter media with the new

just run both filters for 2 weeks then the old filter will help to mature the new filter no need to mix up the media

i agree with that , you will find that its hard to get the media into the new trays with the sponge size difference, and then you are not maturing the new medai, as t1 described above is the best method. Good luck

 

[MermaidMel]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

Thanks but can you explain why? Cheers

why would you want to mix up old filter media with the new

just run both filters for 2 weeks then the old filter will help to mature the new filter no need to mix up the media

i agree with that , you will find that its hard to get the media into the new trays with the sponge size difference, and then you are not maturing the new medai, as t1 described above is the best method. Good luck

I don't wanna use the sponges just my bio rings - can I replace the carbon with my used bio rings?

 

[SJ2K]

dont put any old filter media in the new filter

run the new filter along with the old filter for about 2 weeks then you can remove the old filter

Thanks but can you explain why? Cheers

why would you want to mix up old filter media with the new

just run both filters for 2 weeks then the old filter will help to mature the new filter no need to mix up the media

i agree with that , you will find that its hard to get the media into the new trays with the sponge size difference, and then you are not maturing the new medai, as t1 described above is the best method. Good luck

I don't wanna use the sponges just my bio rings - can I replace the carbon with my used bio rings?

Yes you can running the two along side each other wont work as effectively as it sounds, as very little benefitial bacteria is free floating. Placing the mature media directly into the new filter will decrease the chance of a mini cycle, if done correctly.

 

[MermaidMel]

Easy my ####
I am having a nightmare
The filter itself is a doddle
Making it fit in with my cabinet and set up is killing me!!
I cannot empty the tank - I struggled enough to fill it with my slipped disc, so I'm having to drill various holes into the cabinet even though I can't even fit my hand behind it, all my biorings are in the external now so that's all going to die. I'm so piddled off I really am.

 

[SJ2K]

Lol, well its a lesson learnt moving media before being ready to rock and roll isnt a great move. Just do the best you can to get it going now (even if that means having it sticking out the front for a while), once your going then work on making a more permanant fixture.

 

[MermaidMel]

Lol, well its a lesson learnt moving media before being ready to rock and roll isnt a great move. Just do the best you can to get it going now (even if that means having it sticking out the front for a while), once your going then work on making a more permanant fixture.

I need to keep my rings wet any ideas? can I fill the tetratec up with tank water and how long will the bacteria live that way?